Crohn’s
disease

Crohn’s
disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the
digestive tract,
also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s
disease can affect
any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most
commonly affects
the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling
extends
deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain
and can
make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Crohn’s
disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases
that
cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of
Crohn’s disease are
similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome
and
ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis
causes
inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large
intestine.
In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be
involved, and normal
healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

Crohn’s
disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some
families. About
20 percent of people with Crohn’s disease have a blood
relative with some form
of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and
sometimes a
parent or child. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all
age groups, but it
is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People
of
Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s
disease, and
African Americans are at decreased risk for developing
Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s
disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.

Symptoms
of Crohn’s disease

The most
common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are
abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal
bleeding,
weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may also occur.
Bleeding may
be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with
Crohn’s disease may
suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity
o f
symptoms varies.